Angela from Housing

I haven't voted for Farage, or donated to Ukraine. Did you quote the wrong pp, or are you asking for my theoretical opinion?

@Jossjt No the exact opposite - I'm pointing out that's what the OP I quoted is suggesting

It’s so so depressing I have several wealthy friends who have left are leaving as are their friends. I’ve been in business 30 years no hiring of anyone anymore putting the brakes on more like a total stop no movement anywhere except in the public sector 318 jobs created each day since labour came in. I can’t decide whether they are arrogant or stupid probably both because it sure as hell isn’t faster and better

How can you possibly judge? It's been a handful of months? Of course things are getting worse - the policies are barely in place yet. What you're basically saying is you don't like the cut of Starmer's jib. Which is fine - you're entitled to that view, as are those switching to reform. But you can't honestly say that they've proved themselves one way or another until the end of a parliamentary term.

What scares me is I think they do get it, but they are so entrenched in their ideology they see the damage as worth it.
I have skin in the game in construction, so I know for a fact that these measures are also hurting the industry that AR needs to build houses. Crazy times.

https://www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk/features/uk-construction-costs-forecast-for-2025-trends-and-insights/

Well, I'm not too optimistic, I'm afraid.

Ok, @TheNuthatch - but genuinely, how could you both donate to Ukraine and give a vote to Farage whose position on Putin is that Europe provoked him to invade a sovereign state?

It's madness. Starmer, Reeves and all of Labour are entirely clueless on this.

They'll prop each other up as it gets worse.

Sunak knew cause and effect hence the speech. Some others did too, including on here

Labour won't see it until the public sector follows

Because it is ideology over anything else. They have nothing other than ideology. They are fuelled by revenge (pensioners, farmers + independent schools). It's utterly disgraceful that after having 14 years to plan for this, they don't have a plan.

'budget measures are acting as brakes on hiring'

Why was this not screamingly obvious to the government and the treasury? Yet they plough on regardless!

The only people who don't get this are Labour + their die hard supporters.

Spot on, it matters not what Reform say as Labour have been such an utter disaster. The farmers they are after to land grab from/IHT are having another protest today in London, the NI on employers none of this was mentioned in their policies nor was cutting the WFA.

They are done for.

Labour got in as people wanted the Tories out at any cost and it has gone so badly wrong.

Starmer has zero charisma even after voice coaching tips he is almost robotic, compare against Sunak when he did his budget speech or Yusuf the Reform Chairman they are a different level.

No surprise to me at all.
Cause and effect!

Well, another bit of manipulation and right wing propaganda this morning.

FT this time:

UK recruiters say toughest conditions in jobs market since Covid

I can't share token, but as it says on the tin:
“An autumn of fiscal gloom, difficulty navigating significant upcoming tax rises and . . . a costly new approach to employment rights are all acting as brakes on progress.”

"The KPMG/REC survey showed recruiters were reporting widespread falls in vacancies in all sectors, including low-paid areas such as hospitality that until recently had acute staff shortages. They were also reporting far fewer healthcare roles, following a clampdown on the use of agency workers by NHS trusts. However, the sharpest falls in vacancies were in higher paid professional areas and in the tech sector, which has been suffering a long-running slump. "

Whilst the first part indicated general economic decline, the last sentence is particularly interesting - it means there are no investments in high value businesses and tech and this is super scary.

Gosh I hope not! They're already sky high.

It also has major issues with the job market, as released today. As stated this morning budget is a slow motion car crash

Particularly hitting the north harder, we need jobs not getting closer to recession

I'm hoping the liberals elect Mark Carney swoon to hold the fort until October.
He would be a good adversary to Trump.

There is another thing that will make it difficult.

I would anticipate prices for building materials worldwide to go up because of increased demand. There will be some huge reconstruction programmes in both Ukraine and Gaza.

HellsBalls but you can't, it takes years of training - unless you want to end up with housing stock like companies such as Persimmon have been delivering. Look up the number of "pre-fab" companies who have gone into administration in the last 12 moths. Building trades are paid well. The colleges that exist are already struggling to attract young people in, and courses are closing - that's the biggest problem, finding young people who want to make their living in construction.

The trouble Labour has, is that growth is not consistent with increasing the minimum wage, above inflation government pay awards, increased private sector national insurance, the net zero target which increases everyone's energy costs and greater workers rights. These are just more costs which thwart private investment.

Yes to watching what is happening in both Germany and Austria. I’m also watching Canada, as Poilievre’s Conservatives are leading in the polls - interesting to see how that will play out with Musk and Trump, too.

I think the poster was most likely specifically responding to the description of Rayner as ‘uneducated and chippy’…

Wow, you are insinuating that all state educated people are thick and stupid. So insulting.

You have to admit she needs a stylist.

Yes it's interesting and scary to watch. I've also developed a fascination with Austrian politics at the moment. Herbert Kickl may form a government and become Chancellor there. Europe could look very different soon.